Tunable optical filter and method of manufacture thereof

摘要

A tunable optical filter is formed in the structure of an etalon. A thin electro-optic ceramic substrate is fixed between two end substrates. Each end substrate has an inner parallel surface toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer. An adhesive which attaches the electro-optic ceramic substrate to each first and second end substrates has a consistency so as to avoid stress on the electro-optic ceramic substrate. A voltage imposed on the electro-optic ceramic substrate by the electrode layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between the reflective coating layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates of the etalon structure. The electro-optic ceramic substrate is preferably PMN-PT ((1-x)Pb(Mg⅓Nb⅔)O3-x—PbTiO3) and no more than 160 μm thick.

主权项

1. A tunable optical filter comprising:
an electro-optic ceramic substrate having first and second parallel surfaces, said electro-optic ceramic substrate no more than 160 μm thick; first and second end substrates arranged on either side of said electro-optic ceramic substrate, each end substrate having an inner parallel surface arranged toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate and an outer parallel surface arranged away from said electro-optic ceramic substrate, said inner parallel surface covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer; and an adhesive attaching said electro-optic ceramic substrate to said first and second end substrates, said adhesive having a consistency so as to avoid stress on said electro-optic ceramic substrate; whereby a voltage imposed on said electro-optic ceramic substrate by said electrode layers on said inner parallel surfaces of said first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between said reflecting layers on said inner parallel surfaces of said first and second end substrates.